Gattacre History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

The origins of the Anglo-Saxon name Gattacre come from its first bearer, who was a a cat. It was given to someone who was cunning, malicious, or nimble. The surname Gattacre also referred to someone who enjoyed good eating. This surname may also be referred in the patronymic as the son of the one nicknamed gata.

Early Origins of the Gattacre family

The surname Gattacre was first found in Shropshire which was "a family of great antiquity, and which is said to have been established at Gatacre by a grant from Edward the Confessor." 1

The Gatacre local cannot be found today but the History of Parliament notes about William Gatacre (by 1499-1577): "Although not a leading family in Shropshire, the Gatacres were influential at Bridgnorth, five miles from their home."

Indeed the Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 list the following: John de Gatacre and Stephen de Gatacre, both from Shropshire. 2

Early History of the Gattacre family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Gattacre research. Another 133 words (10 lines of text) covering the years 1160, 1331, 1499, 1533, 1553, 1554, 1574, 1577, 1593 and 1654 are included under the topic Early Gattacre History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Gattacre Spelling Variations

The first dictionaries that appeared in the last few hundred years did much to standardize the English language. Before that time, spelling variations in names were a common occurrence. The language was changing, incorporating pieces of other languages, and the spelling of names changed with it. Gattacre has been spelled many different ways, including Gatacre, Gataker and others.

Early Notables of the Gattacre family

Notables of the family at this time include William Gatacre (by 1499-1577) was an English politician, Member of Parliament for Shropshire in November 1554; and his son, Thomas Gatacre (by 1533-1593), an English politician and cleric; and his son, Thomas Gataker (1574-1654), an English clergyman and theologian. He "was born on 4 Sept. 1574, in the rectory house of St. Edmund's, Lombard Street. His father was Thomas...
Another 67 words (5 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Gattacre Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Gattacre family

Thousands of English families in this era began to emigrate the New World in search of land and freedom from religious and political persecution. Although the passage was expensive and the ships were dark, crowded, and unsafe, those who made the voyage safely were rewarded with opportunities unavailable to them in their homeland. Research into passenger and immigration lists has revealed some of the very first Gattacres to arrive in North America: John Gatacre who arrived in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1832.

Citations +

Shirley, Evelyn Philip, The Noble and Gentle Men of England; The Arms and Descents. Westminster: John Bower Nichols and Sons, 1866, Print.
Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)